A gem studded night

The rocks are back. Actors at this year’s Oscars sparkled in precious stones, especially diamonds and showed us how to carry off the most expensive jewellery without looking vulgar or weighed down in gems. If this year’s best supporting actress Lupita Nyong opted for an 18-carat, yellow gold and diamond headband by Fred Leighton, her rival for the trophy, Jennifer Lawrence, teamed her strapless, red, Dior gown with a crystal, diamond and platinum necklace from Neil Lane, worth $2 million.

However, Charlize Theron made the jewellery worn by the above ladies seem like discount buys as she showed up sporting a 31-carat, Harry Winston diamond necklace worth $15 million. To balance the look, she stuck to simple diamond ear studs. Not to be outdone, Angelina Jolie decided to add a bit more shine to her already embellished Ellie Saab gown with 42-carat diamond earrings by jeweler Robert Procop.

It wasn’t all headpieces or necklaces that demanded attention. Actress Viola Davis wore dazzling diamond cuff bracelets to compliment her green, strapless gown. And though Penelope Cruz got a bit of flak for her choice of outfit, her Chopard diamond chandelier earrings were spot on.

Best actress winner Cate Blanchet too made a statement with her drop Chopard earrings. They were opals, set in white gold and diamonds. And though former Olympic skater Johnny Weir didn’t wear the real stuff, she competed with the ladies by turning up in silver, crystal encrusted Swarovski loafers by Louis Leeman. But the one who outshone them all was the Queen of Pop, Madonna. Reminding us why she is the Material Girl, the singer wore 1,000 carats worth of diamonds, which included a crucifix around her neck, a headpiece and several rings to a post-Oscars bash hosted by her manager.